The Heavens: A Qing, the Yue Girl at the beginning

It is by no means the common Yin-Yang and Five Elements theory, but rather a more obscure and subtle change that is difficult for ordinary people to fathom.

But with Zhao Qing's keen eye and knowledge, he easily found the clues, and after analyzing them for a while, he had already drawn a preliminary conclusion.

It may seem that others are tasting the fish, but in reality, Goujian is tasting bitterness.

The roles of cook and consumer have been reversed in this case.

While the fish stew itself was technically superb and the seasonings were all sourced from the finest spiritual garden, it did not involve any profound Taoist mysteries and could not possibly have captivated the crowd.

However, what was strange was that after all the guests picked up their chopsticks, they all showed expressions of delight, praising the food and saying that they had never tasted such sweetness in their lives.

Several people stared blankly into the empty space, seemingly captivated by the sensation, unable to extricate themselves from it for a long time.

This is far beyond the capabilities of a cook.

Or rather, the ingredients for the fish fritters are not rare enough to reach that level; they are just ordinary ray.

The real "flavoring" happens on another level.

It happened in the miraculous moment of "divine encounter with the mind".

Lao Tzu once said, "The five flavors make one's mouth feel dull."

It acts on the five elements of taste: spicy, sweet, sour, bitter, and salty, reaching a conceptual level, not just a sensation on the tongue or a smell in the nose.

Goujian's methods influenced the five flavors within this context, achieving a kind of substitution based on the principle of balance.

Extract the bitterness that others are carrying in their hearts and absorb it yourself.

It is not just the suffering of the present, but also the hardships of the past, all kinds of regrets, remorse and other unpleasant feelings, which give the soul great comfort and smooth away countless wounds.

Therefore, because of the expectation of future changes that "remove bitterness", the taste of grilled fish has exceeded the theoretical threshold.

It should be noted that the fish's unusual sweetness is an inherent property after cooking, and the bitterness is not eliminated when it is eaten.

It is more like a kind of moral contract for lending and collecting debts.

Each bite was a pre-emptive payment for future sweetness to the diners, while Goujian repaid the bitterness that had been stripped away from them.

This is not an illusion to deceive the mind or blind the senses, but a genuine alteration of the existing order of taste in the world!
Its beauty comes first, then its cause.

"What is crooked will become straight, what is bent will become upright." Only the workings of the Tao can disregard such reversals of time and break the limitations of nature.

"Sleeping on firewood and tasting gall" and "Heaven helps those who help themselves" are just some of the many phrases that describe Goujian's forbearance and perseverance in history.

However, in this extraordinary world of martial arts, mere bile was insufficient to cause pain or serve as a warning to a top-tier expert who had reached the sixth level of Qi cultivation. Therefore, he chose this method:
He learned a mysterious sword technique called the Five Flavors Sword from Zhuan Yi, and then often cooked and prepared dishes, allowing others to taste the ultimate sweetness while he silently endured the extra bitterness.

Besides inviting wise men to banquets, Goujian would also distribute cooked food, fermented meat, and dried meat soup to the elderly, farmers, commoners, and local officials on his daily journeys, regardless of their social status.

It now seems that most of these dishes involve kendo-style processes, and are imbued with countless trials and tribulations of the mortal world.

It is not only a technique for cultivating the mind, but also a powerful and bizarre sword intent for killing, with a legendary record of killing King Liao of Wu.

It's unclear how Zhuan Yi, the high-ranking official of Wu, came to pass this knowledge on to Goujian. Was it intentional? Was he unwilling to let this method be lost? Or was Goujian simply too gifted and managed to comprehend it after only a few encounters?

Zhuan Zhu's sword, though powerful, has had its key components exposed, making it difficult to use for assassination.

So when it got out, it wasn't considered a big deal.
Zhao Qing pondered inwardly, considering that this was definitely not the sword path that Goujian mainly cultivated, but rather a side branch that supported the main trunk. The cultivation and skill of this King of Yue were truly unfathomable!
Furthermore, she sensed a trace of chaotic energy, which basically confirmed that Goujian was now in the stage of entering the Hai Hui phase of the Middle Six Qi, and he would have to complete the breakthrough and advancement within thirty years.

This timeframe should be the eve of the Huangchi Meeting.

It should be understood that when one reaches the Great Perfection of the Lower Six Qi and is about to undergo the Tribulation of Life and Death in the Yuan Hui, even if one fails, one can survive if someone in the Upper Six Qi realm is willing to help. However, there is no such way out for one who has reached the Great Perfection of the Middle Six Qi. It is a matter of life and death, and failure means certain death.

Therefore, those who dare to close the gates and undergo tribulation are quite rare.

Those who are called "masters of the six energies" have mostly only achieved a certain level of accomplishment, such as cultivating celestial phenomena and spiritual nature, which is far from true perfection.

Sikou Futong, Sinong Gaoru, and Taizai Kucheng, although they are all said to have reached the Great Perfection of the Six Qi, even without considering their equipment, the three of them working together would be far from being a match for Goujian.

It must be said that this King of Yue was probably the most skilled fighter she had ever encountered. Zhu Ji Wu Ci and Wen Zi were likely not the real individuals and therefore not included. Wen Zhong, however, was still somewhat lacking.

After all, he had the background of royalty and had received the true teachings of Yunchang.

They must have also been familiar with the Daoist teachings of Ou Yezi, Wenzi, and others.

In fact, the golden carp that used to peek out and chat is now hiding very well, which gives us a glimpse into its true nature.

Such swordsmanship can be transformed into nourishment for one's growth.

However, is the other party's high level of attention a good thing for me? Too much interference would mean less freedom and even the possibility of discovering unusual evidence in my dreams and raising suspicions.

Thinking of this, Zhao Qing did not reveal the stakes behind this "suffering" or uncover the enormous sacrifice behind Goujian's roasted fish.

To observe a game of chess without speaking is a virtue of chess; to observe the Way without speaking is also a virtue of the Way.

Quietly, she switched to another plate of venison.

At the same time, they could also hear the conversations coming from inside the boathouse below.

……

Inside the hut, cups and plates were laid out on the table, and the aroma of wine filled the air.

Despite it being early morning, not a single person felt greasy or bloated—those who could travel thousands of miles to get here, and who were learned and ambitious, all possessed some cultivation.

While it may not be particularly profound, and the lineage of masters is rarely outstanding, it is still sufficient to aid digestion and eliminate stagnation.

If an ordinary person were to mistakenly eat such delicacies, they would likely experience bloating and drowsiness after only a few bites. Therefore, the saying among the common people, "Food for immortals is not to be eaten," is not entirely unfounded.

The scholars, some dressed in Chu attire and others in Wu brocade, spoke with accents from all over the country. As they ate, they whispered to each other, and many even used telepathy to converse privately, their expressions varied.

Although there was no loud noise, the subtle interplay of voices and thoughts was even more lively than speaking.

"This dish of stir-fried mutton with pepper and plum contains at least seven kinds of spiritual essences. I have only tasted it once, at the Daiqiu Tower in Zheng Guojun's Palace. Just this one bean costs more than a thousand jin. The King of Yue actually used it to entertain ordinary guests. He was truly generous." Someone exclaimed.

The face value of a cloth coin "one jin" was approximately equal to two large ge coins.

"You only see its high price, but I see the care put into it."

The one who spoke was an old man in a blue robe sitting to his right: "The utensils on this table are all engraved with miniature effects of temperature control using the method of printing. Ice and charcoal can be placed on the same table and each will have its own effect. You can adjust them according to your personal preferences! They will still taste good even after being left out all day."

In my opinion, food and drink are secondary.

Another voice transmission came in: "Compared to the noble families I served in the past, sharing a boat ride and eating from the same pot of soup with the King today is the greatest honor. King Yue's love for scholars is indeed not an exaggeration."

"This really shows they think highly of us poor folks!"

Upon hearing this, everyone at the table fell silent for a moment.

After a short while, the old man spoke in a low voice: "I have wandered for half my life and have seen that among the noble families of various states, there are very few who do not select people based on their family background."

"Back in Jin, I once submitted a petition to Xun Li, hoping to emulate the Zhi family. I waited at the foot of the steps for three whole days, my eyes dazzled by the sight of the Cloud Bridge, but I didn't even get to see a mere junior official."

"Later, after asking around, I learned that my letter of recommendation had never been opened after it was submitted. They said that letters from unknown and unregistered people were not allowed to enter the second gate, and it was difficult to get a 'sealed letter' without a thousand pieces of gold as proof."

"The Jinqing Mansion is governed by strict laws and is full of mysterious and profound powers. Without the 'sealing and transmission', even if one breaks through the open gate and climbs over the courtyard wall, what one sees is just a dream, an illusion, and one will be forever separated."

"I ran out of money at the inn, and in the end I barely managed to scrape together enough for my trip home by copying the local gazette for the merchant in my room."

“I deeply understand what you mean, sir.”

The pale-faced scholar smiled wryly and continued, "Without a distinguished background, it's like cutting off the fuel supply at the bottom of a cauldron, severing all avenues for advancement."

“Back in Jiangdu, I found Liang Yingfu’s gatekeeper and bribed him with ten taels of gold to get a word of permission to report. I had to sell my ancestral jade-hilted sword to scrape together those ten taels. And what was the result?”

"After waiting for half a month, there was still no news. When I went to ask again, the gatekeeper had been transferred, and the new one did not acknowledge the matter at all. I got anxious and raised my voice to argue with him. He was not angry, but just looked at me sideways and asked: 'Do you have a receipt?' That really left me speechless."

As he said this, he shook his head and chuckled, then picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp, as if he wanted to swallow the filth of the past year along with it.

"But this time when I entered Yue," the scholar looked around at the table full of delicacies and his fellow scholars, his tone complicated, "I had only just submitted my calling card and had not yet sought an audience with any of the doctors when the official who received me gave me twenty gold coins instead, saying that the King of Yue had decreed that all those who come from afar should be given a sum of money to settle down before being appointed to a post, so as to cover their travel expenses and relieve them of any worries."

"Hehe, such an extraordinary encounter, who would believe it if they hadn't experienced it themselves?"

“In the past, when I was in the State of Wei, the State of Lin (a person's name) would promote any virtuous person he saw. As a result, there were no idle and unruly people under the rule of Duke Ling. I did not hesitate to travel for several years to visit them in Diqiu. However, when I arrived there, Duke Ling had died because of a mistake in revising the ‘Pingyan Bantian Zhen’. His grandson, Duke Zhe of Wei, was already on the throne.”

Another person sneered, "Although they still accepted me, they had a servant bring out a 'Heart-Testing Ladder' that I don't know which sect's secret treasure they copied, and they want me to climb the ladder and be tested first! If I pass this test, they can promise me the position of a mid-ranking officer!"

"Once you step into that place, illusions abound, tempting you with wealth and sex, intimidating you with weapons, or bewitching you with power and position. If you are not careful, you will lose your composure. Those who cannot get through it are considered to be weak-willed and unfit for great things."

"I patiently walked halfway there, when it suddenly dawned on me: Damn it, what do they take me for?"

"Did they really think I was some submissive little apprentice who could be humiliated and tormented at will? Next, would they expect me to sign some kind of contract or deed of 'name pledge'? I stormed off at that moment."

"Though I am poor, I am not here to be made a fool of!"

On the surface, he spoke righteously, but who knew in private that this guy considered the "Ladder of Inquiry" an insult, something he couldn't bear? Perhaps it was because he harbored a long history of wrongdoing and killing servants without cause? It's just one side of the story.

“Same here.” A scholar from Lu took over the conversation, his tone full of indignation. “When I was in Chu, I studied under Zixi. The first thing I did was to ask a great calligrapher to transcribe my recommendation letter in the most elegant and gorgeous bird-and-insect script. If the format was even slightly inappropriate, it would be returned exactly as it was.”

"This isn't over yet."

He continued, "After the invitation was copied, they insisted on finding a rare incense to fumigate it before they would submit it. After all this back and forth, when I finally got accepted, I was dragged around to serve drinks and banquets every day, supposedly to 'assess my demeanor,' but in reality, I was treated like a court jester."

"The same applies to the country of Cai."

Another burly man with a broad forehead said resentfully, "I have an old friend who was recruited by Lord Cai. I thought he would be in charge of confidential matters and to help with state affairs, but all he does all day is indulge in sensual pleasures and he's not allowed to participate in any serious matters. When asked about important military and political affairs, he just says, 'The time is not right.'"

"Hmph, when will the time come? It might not even come when he's old and dead!"

Could this old acquaintance be yourself?

The people around couldn't help but mutter to themselves.

In fact, it's quite common among wandering scholars to belittle the previous one and elevate the new one.

In today's world, compared with the treatment offered by Tian Heng, Zhao Yang, Wu Zixu, Bai Gongsheng and others in recruiting talents, the King of Yue's side, apart from being significantly more willing to lower his stance, is not much better.

However, everyone present was naturally intelligent and would not gossip and embarrass the host—besides, the host was sitting in the chamber above them, only a few feet away. Even if the transmission of sound was secretive, it would be impossible to hide it from such a master, as the difference in their levels was simply too great.

Clearly, these wise men are unaware that the roasted fish was actually a generous gesture personally prepared by Goujian.

According to Zhao Qing's estimation, the news should be released after the banquet to ignite related emotions, so as not to overwhelm people with a series of favors in a short period of time and dilute their gratitude.

The skill in controlling and balancing people's emotions is truly remarkable.

……

Let's get back to the main topic.

Meanwhile, inside the noble's chamber, Goujian saw that Zhao Qing was savoring the food carefully, so he laughed and said, "To my shame, when I was in Wu, besides learning cooking skills and how to roast fish, I also learned another skill."

"May I ask what you studied, Your Majesty?" Zhao Qing asked, following up on the conversation.

“Building cities and palaces.” Goujian put down his chopsticks and looked at the city gates that were slowly passing by outside the boat window. “The King of Wu liked high platforms and magnificent palaces, so I followed those master craftsmen and learned from site selection and foundation building to flying eaves and brackets, from stone masonry and rammed earth to carved beams and painted rafters.”

"When Fuchai expanded the Gusu Terrace, I personally wielded the axe and chisel, laying each brick and tile, and thus learned some of his skills..."

Zhao Qing pursed his lips slightly, but inwardly he thought to himself:
Having spent a long time "studying" in the State of Wu, he learned nothing but the skills of courtiers who served King Fuchai's banquets and entertainment, such as roasting fish, building platforms, and constructing palaces. It was quite an ability for him to speak of these things so openly and self-satisfiedly.

Zhenge Wuhan, who was pouring himself a drink from a pot, just smiled slightly when he heard this and didn't say anything, obviously he had heard it countless times before.

Seemingly sensing her thoughts, Goujian was not annoyed. Instead, he laughed heartily and said, "Don't think these are just empty words and trivial skills."

“When I was in Wu, others only said that I was humbling myself to serve my enemy and enduring humiliation. But I felt that it was also an opportunity to learn many things from others that Yue did not have.”

He paused, his tone shifting from self-deprecation to solemnity: "Anything that the Yue Kingdom can use, no matter how humble or trivial, if we learn it, we've gained something. I never dare to forget the word 'pragmatism'."

"Entrepreneurship is a tradition that can be continued. As for success, that is up to fate."

Just then, the ship arrived near the royal city.

Passing through the water gate, a bright and open view suddenly appeared before me:
The mountain was built into a platform, and the platforms were linked together to form a palace, stacked one on top of another, high and low, with countless rooms. Between the red roofs and green tiles, there were colorful paintings: on the left, a red dragon soaring through the clouds, and on the right, a black snake coiling in the mist.

When the sun shines on it, it shimmers with light and color, so dazzling that it is impossible to look directly at it.

The flying bridge spans a deep abyss, dozens of feet high, with carriages and horses passing by in a constant stream; the winding corridor built over water meanders, with rippling blue waves.

The most peculiar thing is what's in the middle of the lake.

There were seven or eight small pavilions, not built on pillars, but on huge lotus leaves, swaying gently with the waves.

Among the shallow islets on the lake shore, deer lie down, bears roam, rabbits dart and foxes lie in wait, and each has its own small islet to inhabit, where flowers bloom in profusion and never fade in all seasons.

Then I heard the croaking of frogs.

Although there are many different kinds of birds and beasts, they do not disturb each other.

Stone bridges connect the different islands.

Zhao Qing stared intently, only to see that the stone bridge was slowly moving. Every half-hour, it would rotate and reassemble itself, connecting the two previously separated islets into one. Once the deer on the islets had leisurely strolled across, the bridge would move away again and rebuild elsewhere. The coming and going was orderly, as if these creatures also knew how to wait.

On the lake, painted boats and light boats come and go like a woven tapestry.

Palace maids and servants, their robes fluttering, carried trays, held fans, or leaned against the side of the boat watching the fish. Their laughter drifted faintly on the water breeze, only to be broken up by the sound of oars.

The main hall stands majestically in the center, with double eaves and a hip roof. The roof tiles are gilded, and the rich spiritual energy on the roof condenses into five-colored cloud-like fungus and fragrant herbs, layer upon layer, flowing slowly.

The rainbow stretched for miles, sometimes gathering and sometimes dispersing, like a fairyland.

"How magnificent!" Zhao Qing exclaimed sincerely.

Magnificent palaces are not limited to the purpose of enjoyment; they should also be taken into consideration to demonstrate national strength and inspire the ambition of virtuous scholars.

The King of Yue stroked his beard with satisfaction, pleased with the design of the palace.

"Let's not talk about those old things." He waved his sleeve.

"The dishes on this ship today, though not as lavish as those in prison, have still been prepared with some care. I specifically instructed the cooks not to use those elaborate cooking techniques, but to simply prepare some home-style flavors."

At this point, Goujian pointed to the flying pavilion below the duke's chamber:
“Look, young lady, there’s a platform set up over there. Soon, wise men will ascend the platform to discuss the Way. I’ve set up this banquet for two reasons: first, to enjoy the scenery and to appreciate the people. Today, there are no set topics. Everyone can express their own opinions. If there’s any interesting exchange of ideas, that would be a great pleasure.”

In the center of the flying pavilion, there was an open space about ten feet in diameter, which was directly opposite the noble house and they could look at each other.

A rush mat had already been laid out, on which was placed a low table with a small bronze bell, a cup of tea, a paperweight, and several blank bamboo scrolls.

Beside it stood a huge plain screen, without a single word, as if waiting for someone's ink to fill it in.

Immediately afterwards, Goujian clapped his hands a few times, and two rows of attendants filed in from both sides of the portico, each holding a scroll and pen.

One column went towards Feilu, another towards Dilu, their steps light and silent.

The head of the attendants approached the threshold of the chamber and bowed to Goujian, saying, "The time has come. Please give your instructions, Your Majesty."

Goujian nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the wise men in the flying hut who had gradually quieted down, and said:

"Gentlemen, you are all heroes from all corners of the land. Some have traveled far with swords, while others have sought official positions with strategies. Now that you have arrived in Yue, I dare not treat you with empty words."

"The banquet included food and drink, as well as discussions and debates."

"Gentlemen, you have come from afar, each bringing your own gems. As the host, I am honored to hear your insightful discussions. Anyone who has expertise, insights, or something to share may bring their ideas to the platform and present them to the public. We will not consider background or seniority; only talent matters."

The room fell silent for a moment.

Some put down their wine cups, while others sat up straight. Several men in Chu clothing who had been leaning against the portholes all straightened their backs at the same time.

Grand Chancellor Ku Cheng then spoke: "Those who wish to ascend the altar must first report their names and the matters they wish to present to the attendant. Only after verification can they take their seats. The King and I will also inquire a few questions to ascertain the essentials."

"Gentlemen, please consider this carefully; there is no need to rush."

"All proposed strategies must first be written down in a document, whether in the form of a diagram or a simple letter, clearly outlining the main points and details. If the implementation methods and the evidence for evaluation can be attached, it would be even better."

Upon hearing this, many people in Fei Lu's expression shifted slightly.

Some people looked delighted, clearly having made prior preparations; others frowned, hurriedly summoning the attendant and asking in a low voice if they could make a last-minute recording; still others took out silk books filled with small characters from their sleeves, flipping through and memorizing them, fine beads of sweat appearing on their foreheads.

Zhen Ge Wu Han turned to the side and explained softly to Zhao Qing, "Miss, do you know that although this debate on the altar was set up by the king, there are some unwritten rules. Let me explain them to you first."

"I would like to hear the details," Zhao Qing replied.

Zhenge Wuhan said, “The customs of Yue are different from those of the Central Plains. In the Central Plains states, during banquets, people would compose poems to express their aspirations, quote excerpts from the Book of Poetry, or compete to exchange poems, valuing the elegance of their words and the wit of their responses. Even when discussing politics, they would focus on abstract concepts rather than practical ones, emphasizing eloquence and quick thinking rather than the depth of their reasoning. But the people of Yue do not value this approach.”

“What Your Majesty desires is concrete content. Those who seek information must provide solid evidence; those who discuss it must offer practical solutions. If one’s words cannot be consistent and merely offer what is beyond one’s reach, it is like a cripple. A basket full of jade dust is not a treasure.”

“Those eye-catching flowery words and those long-winded discourses, if they deviate from the national strategy set by Minister Fan Li and Minister Wen Zhong, or even openly contradict it, will not be allowed.”

Zhao Qing's heart stirred slightly: "What if someone insists on going against the grain?"

"Absolutely not." Zhen Ge Wu Han said calmly, but his tone left no room for doubt. "The Yue Kingdom is rising, like a boat sailing against the current. It cannot move forward without the combined efforts of everyone. If anyone, relying on their own talents, makes wild remarks at the banquet, disrupts the ceremony, interferes with the government, and derails the direction of national policy, then they are not a wise man, but a scourge!"

"Although the king is benevolent, he is never ambiguous on this matter."

"Although he may not have reacted on the spot, that person will never have the chance to board this boat again after today."

"Therefore, the debate at this banquet is not for showing off one's eloquence or engaging in empty rhetoric, but rather for practical and effective governance strategies—whether governing a county, training a brigade, managing a river, or supervising a mine!"

"Several months ago, the official gazette had already sent the regulations to all local post stations. Anyone who intended to attend the banquet and ascend the altar had to choose the topic to discuss in advance and apply to the relevant authorities: either take a soldier to train in battle formations to test their ability as a general; or take the records of a prefecture to examine land taxes, mountains and rivers, and submit a governance strategy within a specified period..."

"The matters reported were all approved by the relevant officials with corresponding documents and tokens, which allowed them to access the relevant files and enter and leave the treasuries of various departments."

"Then, he will present to the king and his ministers what he has learned, studied, and gained during this period. If there are any omissions, they will be clarified on the spot; if there are any insightful observations, he will be appointed on the spot."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qing understood.

Isn't this just like a thesis defense? The topic is assigned in advance, resources and time are provided, and finally, the candidate is publicly evaluated in front of the monarch.

Those who began preparing months ago will reap the rewards today; those who cram at the last minute, no matter how learned they may be, will find it difficult to come up with a solid strategy in a hurry.

"Today we board the boat, ostensibly to attend a banquet, but in reality for a re-examination." Zhen Ge Wu Han then explained, "Those seated in the Fei Lu are those who have made full preparations and intend to ascend the altar. Those who do not wish to do so for the time being, or who give up halfway, must return to the Lu and sit with the ordinary guests."

"The people of Yue have always valued courage. If someone has clearly applied for a research project and secured a seat in the Fei Lu, but hesitates when it comes time to step onto the platform, others will naturally have a poor opinion of them. If there are any promotions or rewards in the future, they will probably be ranked last."

"What if someone falsifies the plan and adds falsehoods?" Zhao Qing asked.

"That depends on the severity of the forgery," Zhen Ge Wuhan said calmly. "For minor forgeries, Doctor Fan Li has plenty of ways to make him lose everything; for more serious forgeries, the Secret Guard will handle it themselves."

Zhao Qing nodded slightly and asked, "The Witch Lord just said that this debate tests practical skills. But are the depth of a cultivator's realm and the level of their combat power not included in the assessment?"

"Even if one doesn't need to go to the battlefield to face the killing, those with higher cultivation levels have longer lifespans and can serve the Great Yue for a longer period of time. Logically and emotionally, this shouldn't be completely ignored, right?"

"That's a good question."

Zhen Ge Wu Han explained with a smile: "Miss, you may not know this, but compared to wisdom, strategy, and the ability to manage affairs, martial prowess is actually easier to judge. It doesn't really require a real fight; you can simply observe their techniques, assess their level of cultivation, and discern the depth of their understanding to see how much skill they've acquired. It's almost impossible to miss anything."

Therefore, there is no need to set up a special arena for testing on this ship.

She paused, her gaze sweeping over Ku Cheng and Cang Gui as they talked. "Let's look over there and listen to what they're saying."

Zhao Qing's mind stirred slightly, and she realized that the two of them had opened a private telepathic channel to her. It turned out that they were chatting across the table, discussing who would win if so-and-so and so-and-so were to fight.

Both sides took turns listing their strengths and weaknesses, from physical attributes to sword intent bias, from combat experience to temperament and habits, analyzing them meticulously, just like deducing a strategy on a chessboard.

It was quite a debate, but no real fight was required between the two. Verbal exchanges are where the enjoyment of the banquet lies, and since there were no stakes involved, it was harmless.

In reality, those who have reached the middle six Qi realm can mostly see through people's thoughts, and ordinary people cannot hide anything from them.

However, being able to read memories does not equate to being able to identify talent; being able to see through one's current emotions does not mean one can accurately judge one's future practical abilities.

I don't know when, but inspiration just struck!

“Hmm,” Goujian said, as the first man in black robes finished speaking and bowed to the hall of nobility, he straightened up slightly. His Dharma image had already landed on the Fei Lu lecture platform, where he sat opposite the man in another seat.

To the average person, it is impossible to distinguish between reality and illusion.

Although it is only a slight application of the five transformations of the Dharma Form, it allows one to divide one's mind into two places: one where one can chat and laugh freely in the noble chamber, and the other where one can personally sit in the hall of the flying pavilion and conduct a face-to-face evaluation.

“I have read through your proposal point by point. The idea of ​​taming alligators to obtain their eggs and refining their body oil is indeed feasible.”

"But what I wish to ask is—"

He lit up a vermilion mark on the map on the screen. “This Youtang area is only forty li in circumference. You plan to raise twelve hundred small alligator dragons here. The geomantic energy of Geshan is too yang, not the damp and shady land that alligator dragons prefer. If you want to adjust the soil and water to suit their nature, what method should you use?”

"Your Majesty, we should take the Yin energy accumulated at the bottom of the well and the cold spring water from the ground and gradually pour it into the pond."

"Where does the fresh fish that the alligator dragon eats every day come from?"

"If we build a canal that leads to the Eyefish Pond, then..."

"What kind of material is used for the netting used for separation? How much tearing can it withstand? How much does it cost per hectare?"

"The net is to be made of three layers: the outer layer is made of tough bark of mulberry wood twisted together for its wear resistance; the middle layer is woven with fine bamboo strips for its sturdiness; and the inner layer is made of ramie and spider silk mixed together for its flexibility and resistance to breakage."

“Young alligators have tender teeth, so ordinary hemp nets are sufficient; once their teeth grow to more than an inch, a net made of copper wire twisted with hemp must be used. The cost of materials and labor for each hemp net is approximately 3,500 large coins.”

"Not even half a gold?"

Goujian pressed further: "Have you factored in the costs of transportation, storage, and safekeeping? Was the method of twisting copper wire into hemp your own invention, or is it already established elsewhere? Has this method been tested on the alligator? The nets are replaced every three years; what happens to the old nets that are replaced? What about the labor involved in the replacement?"

The man forced himself to remain calm and answered each question.

Goujian listened without comment, but simply tapped the map on the screen a few times, and the map automatically enlarged, showing the surrounding mountains and rivers of the Youtang area. His finger traced a stream, and dozens of tiny vermilion marks appeared, marking villages.

“You just said that you would divert the water from the Eyefish Pond into the Right Pond. The Eyefish Pond is 260 li southwest of Ge Mountain, and the Right Pond is 15 li east of the mountain, separated by two ridges and three streams.”

Have you personally surveyed the water diversion route?

"Your Majesty, I have consulted the maps and records of mountains and rivers kept in the Yuheng Division."

"Ha, how much fresh fat, firewood, and time is needed to refine one cauldron of ointment? You've written this section vaguely. Go back and check it again, and submit the complete version." Goujian's tone was gentle, without any reprimand. "Is there any evidence to compare the efficacy of the alligator egg yolk ointment?"

"This method has always existed in our country, and we are willing to try it!"

“Excellent. This strategy is feasible, and the people involved are also suitable.”

Goujian commented that the memorial he had submitted should be included in the "upper examination" list, and he also bestowed upon the person a bundle of silk and wine as a sign of commendation.

After all, they offered up a valuable secret recipe, so their ranking is naturally excellent.

The man kowtowed in thanks, then staggered back, his face beaming with excitement.

Inside the hut, all the learned scholars watched as they saw him off.

Some people secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that although King Yue was strict, he was not a harsh person. Even if the proposal had omissions, as long as it was generally feasible, it could still be included in the list of candidates. Others looked more and more solemn, quietly unfolding their proposals that they had prepared for many days and quickly adding and revising them.

Inside the noble's chamber, Zhen Ge Wu Han withdrew his gaze and spoke softly, "Did you see clearly, young lady?"

Zhao Qing nodded slightly, seemingly lost in thought.

She had seen this wise man before, when he was with the governor.

The so-called "body ointment" is actually a secret medicine for martial artists to refine their bodies, made from the meat, eggs, and milk of a type of cultivated animal raised by the farmers.

Although its effects are quite remarkable, it is almost impossible for ordinary forces to achieve. Once it is systematized, it becomes an important foundation for powerful clans.

"The king knew every ditch, ravine, village, and settlement in Youtang District like the back of his hand. Every number and every pass he asked about was incisive and to the point, without a single word of empty talk or platitudes."

“Those wise men present are mostly experts in one thing or those who have studied one area thoroughly. But when the king examines them, he is much more professional than they are themselves,” said Zhenge Wuhan. “His desk is usually piled with these reports, documents, reports, and records of granaries.”

"Others only think that the king is high above and only cares about major policies and strategies. Who knows that he knows the exact location of an irrigation canal and the cost of a hemp net by heart?"

Zhao Qing was also filled with emotion.

King Goujian of Yue was indeed not the kind of ordinary monarch who only knew how to sit in the court and rule by doing nothing.

What he demonstrated was a profound understanding of the nation's structure, an extreme pragmatism that meticulously calculated every inch of land, every penny of resources, and every bit of manpower.

What was silently accumulated in those humble years of cooking and building was not only skill, but also incredible meticulousness and diligence.

"...If you have nothing to do, you can also participate in the examination. In this way, you can be considered to have recruited your own students, which is almost like a mentor-student relationship."

Zhen Ge Wu Han then casually remarked, "Or, how about we chat about some interesting anecdotes over there?"

"What kind?" Zhao Qing pressed.

Without a doubt, she had already secured at least the rank of Junior Doctor, and there was no competition between her and the wandering scholars in Fei Lu.

The practice of cultivating retainers and recruiting guests in the Spring and Autumn Period originated with Luan Ying. However, although such retainers often held positions as advisors and strategists, unless they actually became household stewards or obtained a formal title, they were far inferior to hereditary officials with fiefs and at most received some personal salary.

The main source of the wandering scholars was the descendants of the poor scholars.

In reality, many princes and nobles of great states started as high-ranking officials, and many never rose through the ranks. Their status was not even as high as that of the independent lower-ranking officials—excluding those who received only a salary.

With such a position, one must naturally build one's own team.

The concept of "disciples" can be understood by referring to the examiners' environment in later imperial examinations.

Using examinations to recruit "disciples" is certainly a good opportunity to expand one's power, but it is clear that they are more loyal to the King of Yue than to themselves, so there is not much need to participate. It is better to remain on the sidelines and secretly test their talents.

Speaking of which, Jinli stole Zhang Suzhi's account, and now he can command those little stars under his command.

"For example, in recent years, a lot of dragon bones have been unearthed in Dadi Mountain in Yuhang, most of which belong to pterosaurs; a batch of horn stones were auctioned in Hanyue, which are ancient and seem to be spiritual materials for nourishing divine weapons; and for another example, why are blind musicians always appointed and the position passed down from generation to generation?"

With a smile, Zhen Ge Wu Han revealed a great deal about the topic.

And so, they chatted idly for about half an hour.

...(End of this chapter)